Hosted trips to Rio Gallegos Argentina
A trip to Rio Gallegos is the ultimate destination for the angler wishing to enjoy some of the best sea trout fishing in the world. The Patagonian sea trout are legendary both in size and in the fighting ability. The average sea trout weighs a hefty 8-9lb and every year fish of upward of 20lb are landed. One of the great added attraction of these fish that they are caught in the day using nymphs, salmon hairwing flies, rubber legs, dry flies or in higher water tube flies.
The fishing is both varied and exciting with some large pools, stony runs and cut bank pools. The wading is very easy on gravel with no need for any special footwear. Southern Patogonia is a windy area but the wind is invariably downstream which aids the angler.
The scenery here is stunning with mountainous outcrops and a 3600 vista over a vast area. There is a great variety of wildlife from the countless species of birds to inquisitive foxes, skunks, hares and sometimes guanacos. the weather in February March is late summer with day temperatures of 14 - 200C
I host trips to Las Buitreras Lodge which is the home of over 40km of fishing with 50 named pools enjoyed by only 8 rods. Rods fish in pairs with one guide for each pair, and travel to the beats by four wheel drive vehicles. The food and comfort at the lodge is second to none, and all the staff are English speaking and very friendly. I go to Argentina twice every season and usually take a group of anglers. I am very familiar with the journey and with transfers etc in Buenos Aires. I will ensure that this is a holiday of a lifetime and that your ambitions are met. If you would like to go to Rio Gallegos or would like further information please contact me through the contact page you will not be disappointed.
Itinerary for fishing on Rio Gallegos Patagonia February 28th - 7th March 2009
Accommodation at Las Buitreras Estancia
Departure: Thursday 26th or Friday 27th February from London Heathrow to arrive in Buenos Aires. For those travelling on Thursday one or two nights hotel in Buenos Aires - on Friday likely arrival in Buenos Aires will be Saturday morning.
A meet and greet package can be arranged which most anglers prefer which will take you to the hotel or if arriving on Saturday morning directly to the George Newberry domestic airport for an afternoon flight to Rio Gallegos city.
Arrive at Rio Gallegos early evening to be met by minibus for final journey of 45 minutes to Las Buitreras.
Saturday evening meal and update of the fishing.
Sunday - Friday: After breakfast at 8.30 am meet guides 2 anglers per guide. Guide will take the anglers to their beats by 4 wheel drive (much of the driving is off road). There are four beats covering 40km of river for the eight rods. After the morning fishing return to the lodge for dinner (main meal of the day) - dependent on the weather this will be a barbecue or sit down meal inside the estancia. The afternoon is siesta time, one can go horse riding, fishing to the river (without a guide) or just take a rest or even sleep. At 5pm the guides will take the anglers to the next beat on the rota (the rota allows all anglers to fish all the beats both on morning and evening sessions during the week). Return to lodge at about 10.30pm where a buffet is served and the anglers usually relax and reflect on their day.
Saturday: Depart after breakfast by minibus to the airport. Flight to Buenos Aires arriving early afternoon and transferred to hotel. The hotel most frequently used is the Hotel Florida on San Martin Avenue which is a modern hotel near the shopping district. The afternoon can be spent shopping - it is very cheap compared to most cities and there are a number of specialist leather shops along with all sorts of others a great place to find something unusual for your partner. Saturday evening can be spent dining out or clubbing for those people with the energy after a hard weeks' fishing!
Sunday : Depart by transfer to the airport for flight to UK arriving early Monday 9th March in London.
Accommodation: The estancia was modernised five years ago and affords very comfortable accommodation with ensuite facilities in every room with most of the rooms being single occupancy. The staff of the estancia are friendly and helpful and will always go out of their way to ensure that all guests are really well looked after.
There is fishing tackle for sale and hire at the estancia.
There is a cell phone which will allow one to phone home etc at the users expense.
All beer and wines (apart from speciality wines which can be purchased separately) are free.
Must Have's: The following list is indicative rather than all inclusive:
- Passport
- Travel Insurance (Worldwide)
- US Dollars for shopping Buenos Aires and for paying tips and internal flights in Rio Gallegos
- Although the weather is late summer one should bring thermals and wet weather clothing as when it rains it can be heavy. There are drying facilities in the estancia.
- Sun cream and lip cream.
- Camera to take pictures of fish etc as the fishing is strictly catch and release. Batteries for digital cameras can be charged using an adaptor in the estancia.
- Fishing bag to carry tackle around in 4 wheel drive.
- Caps or hats and polaroids.
Weather: The weather in late summer i.e. late February early March is as it is here in late August early September with the chance of a heat wave or much cooler weather. The winds are sometimes strong but are downstream 95% of the time.
Fish: Expect to catch sea trout with an average of 8 or 9lb with some in the teens of pounds. There are some 20lb + fish in the system and a few are caught each season. Brown trout average 1.5lb but some of 4.5 - 5lb are caught most weeks. The fish in the system are very aggressive!
Tackle: A single handed rod of 9'6" or 10' for a 7 weight line is standard tackle - the river is in most places less than 30 yards wide.
A double handed rod of 13' is very useful in windy weather.
Lines are mainly intermediates with shooting heads for the two handed rod to allow for retrieving which is usually necessary to attract the fish. Floating lines can also be necessary to fish dry fly for these fish - a most exciting way of fishing when the conditions are right! In addition a medium/fast sinking shooting head for the two handed rod should ensure that all eventualities are covered.
A selection of poly leaders can be useful for accurate depth control but are not essential.
Leader material is usually fluorocarbon with a range from 10 - 18lb depending on the conditions.
The fish are caught on all sorts of flies from salmon hairwings such as Stoats Tails, with many anglers preferring rubber leg flies such as the Yuk Bugs and others using nymphs such as stoneflies or Prince Nymphs . Tube flies can also be useful in high water. Dry flies are usually rubber legged foam flies. Fish are regularly caught on all of these - presenting the fly to the fish is probably more important than the pattern. The guides are very keen on the anglers catching and will invariably help out if one is lost for ideas. There are also flies which work on the Rio Gallegos for sale in the estancia. No treble hooks are allowed only singles and doubles.
Waders are preferably breathable to avoid discomfort while fishing on warm days. The wading is very easy on gravel hence boot soles of any type are suitable.
Life jackets can be worn although there is little deep or dangerous wading.
Cost: 3490 Euro for the package including all fishing licences and accommodation and transfers in Rio Gallegos. £2740 at current exchange rates.
Flights London - Buenos Aires approximately £550 - £600 Economy.
Flights internal Buenos Aires - Rio Gallegos $380 (£200)
Transfers in Buenos Aires $120 (£65)
Gratuities approximately $450 (£230)
Hotel Buenos Aires approximately £60 per night
Total cost all inclusive is about £3850 at current exchange rates -of course if the pound strengthens against the euro the price will be reduced accordingly. These costs are all based on the exchange rates at the time of booking. 50% of booking fee will be required at time of booking with the balance due 90 days before departure.
Additional trips can be arranged as add - ons if one wants to visit other parts of Patagonia or Argentina we work with a travel company in Rio Gallegos who are more than willing to arrange according to one's needs.
Fishing for steelhead in the Santa Cruz River as an add on for three days can be easily arranged and is an exiting low cost addition to the experience.
Fishing for wild Rainbow Trout at Jurrassic Lake is also a very exciting add on - the rainbow trout here average 8 - 9lb and grow to over 25lb!
I am hosting this trip with Glyn Freeman an AAPGAI colleague and friend. We have both fished the Rio Gallegos before on a number of occasions and have a thorough knowledge of both the fishing and the overall trip. If you wish to discuss this trip, you can contact me either on the contact page or by telephone on 01654 781365 Mobile 07974 942 853 or Glyn at glyn.freeman@virgin.net or by telephone on 01697 351752 or mobile 07808 563 788.
Glyn and I are committed to ensuring that all members of this group are really well looked after!
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